A 70-bed care home and 16 houses are to be built near the Shepherd and Flock roundabout in Farnham, prompting concerns from residents over traffic gridlock and road safety.

Permission for the plans was originally refused by Waverley Borough Council, but this month the developers successfully appealed against the decision by promising to make all 16 houses affordable.

The project would involve adding a fourth arm to the Water Lane roundabout, adjacent to the Shepherd and Flock roundabout, as well as adjusting the position of the other carriageways to "improve junction geometry".

However, people living in the east of Farnham have questioned whether 16 affordable homes is worth the expected disruption to the roads.

Helen Lyer, who lives in Roman Way, said: “I am flabbergasted that consideration is being given to an entrance to this proposed estate from the A325 roundabout, and even more amazed that the proposal is to deflect the northbound approach from the Shepherd and Flock roundabout to the east.

“These roundabouts confuse all who visit the area, and drivers regularly panic and change lanes with little warning. A further niche junction will only impede locals further and is likely to cause the shunts we fear."

Her criticisms were echoed by Brian Marshall, from Osborn Road, who said the development would compound the already serious congestion at the intersection at peak times, and branded an additional junction "a recipe for major accidents".

Developer Smile Metro described its plans for the four-acre site as "a high-quality and harmonious development" which "honours its landscape rather than arguing with it’".

While the precise details of the care home will be decided by Waverley’s planning committee at a future meeting, the design is expected to involve timber cladding to merge the building with the surrounding woodland landscape, as well as a fringe of glass around the roof.

There will also be a boardwalk along the waterway and a play area to the west of the site.

According to Smile Metro, the project will "breathe new life into a poorly managed and forgotten landscape", improving the community value of the area.

Residents, however, are worried about the damage to wildlife by building near Bourne Mill. The woodland is home to, among others, owls, deer, kingfishers and kestrels.

Bryan Blencowe, who lives in Roman Way, said: “It would be criminal for this habitat to be robbed purely to put money in someone’s pocket. I can see no advantage for the local community.”

There is also concern that the loss of trees would lead to water logging on what another Roman Way resident, Steve Clements, called "a known floodplain".

Smile Metro has undertaken to provide drainage as part of its programme to landscape the area, and it is the "exceptionally high" cost of developing on this site that may have persuaded the council to allow the plan to go ahead with just 16 affordable houses, despite local policy demanding a mix of 60%.

The development is also subject to Smile Metro producing a satisfactory plan to prevent people parking along the new access road. The 16 houses will come with 28 parking spaces, and there will be 17 provided for the care home.